PBR

Last weekend we went to Springfield with friends. We had a great time. We went to PFI Western Wear. I just LOVE the smell of leather, and all those boots, baby!!


Then we headed on over to Bass Pro. My other favorite place to hang out in Springfield. If you want it, they've got it, and if they don't have it . . . . well . . . . ya don't need it!!

But wait, you say. Who are all these tough guys in cowboy hats, you say. This next guy, this is Kody Lostroh. What, you've never HEARD of Kody Lostroh.

Kody Lostroh is in first place in the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough series. Get it, PBR, Professional Bull Riders??? Oh yeah. We LOVE the PBR. We watch it on TV, but there's nothing like seeing those guys in action.

They don't call it "THE TOUGHEST SPORT ON EARTH" for nothin'!!!!

We're going back next year. Come join us . . . if you can HANDLE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cloggin'

Well there she is, at it again. That crazy Caragan.




She sure looks pretty in her clogging dress, doesn't she???

And man can she dance. "Hold Your Horses," "Cotton-Eyed Joe," "Rocky Top." She can do 'em all. You've never seen legs move so darn fast.

Isn't she just beautiful. I mean, I know she's my niece but still, I know pretty when I see it.
And this, this is her brother Cade. He doesn't clog. He was trying to PRETEND he's bashful, but he's not. He sure is cute too!

Tawnya Lynn Albertson 1971-2009

I took this picture of my cousin, Tawnya Lynn Albertson, just a couple of months ago, on the 4th of July. Tawnya went in the hospital just a few days after this picture was taken. Tawnya went home to be with Jesus last Friday afternoon, September 11th. She didn't feel good the day I took this picture, but she smiled for me anyway, and that SMILE sums up her life.

Tawnya had Muscular Dystrophy. She walked as a toddler, but the disease weakened her muscles and by the time she was 3 she was in a wheelchair. As the years went by, the disease also took from her the use of her arms, and, eventually, she could only move her fingers just enough to guide her wheelchair. But it couldn't take her spirit, or her determination, or her will to live.

Tawnya was the most truly GOOD person I have ever had the privilege of knowing. In spite of unbelievable physical challenges, and almost constant pain these last few months, Tawnya ALWAYS had a smile on her face. She laughed, she joked, she made everyone feel special. Tawnya never focused on what she couldn't do, she focused on what she could do. Tawnya never wanted sympathy, she wanted to be loved, so she could give love in return.

Tawnya loved music and had met nearly every star in country music. Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Alabama, Vince Gill, Tawnya had her picture taken with all of them. Tawnya was a poster child for the Muscular Dystrophy Association because she wanted to help others.

But most of all, Tawnya loved her mother, my Aunt Kathy, with a love that is beyond description.

Tawnya WILLED herself to live longer than the doctors ever expected because she worried what would happen to her mother when she was gone. My Aunt Kathy lost her son, Troy, who also had MD just a few weeks after his 18th birthday in 1987. Kathy lost her husband, Bill, in 2003. So, you see, Tawnya and Kathy depended on each other, they leaned on each other. Kathy was Tawnya's legs and arms, and Tawnya was Kathy's strength.

My heart is broken, and I will miss Tawnya every single day. But because Tawnya had accepted Jesus as her Savior, and I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, I KNOW that I will see her again in heaven, for eternity. Today, Tawnya is perfect, healed in Jesus name. My life is richer for having had the privilege of being a part of her life.

I miss you Tawnya Lynn, and I love you, and I will see you again.

WEENIE ROAST!!!!!

Can it really be the end of August ? ? ? I mean, school has started, CHECK, football season has started, CHECK, the morning temperature is 49 degrees . . . WHAT!!!! Fall has arrived Down On The Farm. Oh, I know its temporary, but I love it. Fall is my absolutely favorite time of year. Have I mentioned I like fall? Do you know I'd rather decorate for fall than for Christmas? Well, this is what we were doing at our house on the last day of August . . . sitting outside around a FIRE!

I ran to the store after work, picked up some hotdogs and chips, and we had a weenie roast. BP got a fire going, Cole cleaned off our roasting sticks and we sat outside and enjoyed a beautiful August evening in Missouri. You won't hear me say those words in the same sentence very often. In fact, we haven't had our air conditioner on since last week.

Sure wish all my family and friends had been there to enjoy the evening. And I'm thankful that my kids are so easily entertained . . . you say the words "weenie roast" and they are THERE!

Sure hope fall hangs around awhile . . . 'cause, have I mentioned, it's my favorite season!